Target group: The target group consisted of officials in the ministries of agriculture and the environment, and in inspection bodies and institutions dealing with biosafety matters.

Start Date

2003-01-01

Ending date

2004-12-31

Donor(s) information

Government(s) sponsoring the initiative

Sweden

Agency(ies) or Organization(s) implementing or sponsoring the initiative (Additional Information)

Organization: SWEDISH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Type of Organization: National government

Availability of funds for participants

Yes

Activity details

Description of the initiative

Four workshops combined lecturers and team activities in order for
the participants to apply their knowledge of their national laws
and institutions on the specific subject. The subjects addressed
were as follows: The first workshop dealt with contained use of
genetically modified micro-organisms. Participating experts were
from Finland, Denmark and Sweden. The Second workshop focused on
the Biosafety Protocol. Participating experts were from Denmark
(Veit Koester one of the Protocol "fathers"), Norway, Finland and
Sweden. The third workshop was concerned with deliberate releases
of genetically modified plants. Participating experts were from
Finland and Sweden. The fourth workshop dealt with the new EU
regulations on traceability and labelling, and the public
participation aspect of GMOs. The experts were from Denmark and
Sweden. On average, each workshop included ca. 35 participants from
the Baltic States, representing the various authorities and
institutions to which the project was directed. This turnout was
due entirely to the knowledge and experience of the Baltic
Environmental Forum, with its large network of contacts in the
Baltic States.

Objective and main expected outcomes or lesson learned

Goals
To contribute to the safe and sustainable use of modern
biotechnology in the Baltic States.

Objectives
To transfer experience and expertise from the relevant Swedish
authorities in the area of biosafety to their counterparts in the
Baltic States.

General thematic area(s)

Institutional capacity

Risk assessment and other scientific and technical expertise

Identification of LMOs, including their detection

Additional Information

Additional Information

Other collaborating organizations
The project was financed in cooperation with counterparts in the
Baltic States, the Baltic Environmental Forum (http://www.bef.lv) and the Swedish
EPA.